Cycling-Colombian Uran takes Giro lead with first time-trial win

ROME, May 22 (Reuters) - Colombian Rigoberto Uran snatched the pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia after smashing the field in Stage 12 on Thursday to win his first ever individual time trial and overhaul previous leader Cadel Evans. Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider Uran started the 41.9-kilometre stage from Barbaresco to Barolo in the Piedmont region 57 seconds behind his Australian rival. But hampered by heavy rain in the early stages BMC rider Evans struggled on the tight turns and finished third behind Diego Ulissi and one minute 34 seconds adrift of Uran, who has a 37-second lead over Evans going into the mountain stages and is Colombia's first ever Giro leader. "It's fantastic, I'm really surprised. It being a time-trial I didn't think I'd win it, but it's a great result for my team and of course for myself," Uran told reporters. "I'd put a lot of work in over the winter, especially on the time trial. Today I really gave it a go. I have no words, it was really incredible." Italian Ulissi had given the home support hope of a local winner when he set an impressive time of 58.51, 50 seconds ahead of early stage leader Thomas De Gendt. However, Uran put in an astonishing ride to smash the Tuscan's time and finish one minute and 17 seconds ahead of the Lampre-Merida rider. "There are still a lot of stages to go, some of which are really hard, but we're in there. We have a great team," Uran told Rai Sport. "I'm happy for what I did and really surprised." Tinkoff-Saxo's Rafal Majka and Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, who rides for AG2R La Mondiale, stayed third and fourth overall. Movistar rider Nairo Quintana, who was among the pre-race favourites, moved up to sixth place in the general classification but lost time on the race lead, dropping to three minutes 29 seconds behind compatriot Uran. It was a dreadful day for Evans, who was expected to at least maintain his overall lead, and he will take little comfort in extending his advantage on the rest of his rivals. "I wasn't well-informed during the stage as I was concentrating on my ride, but he went so much faster than anyone else, it was an exceptional display," Evans said. "We were mostly very close to each other but he got off to a flying start and after then he managed to build on his lead. "I didn't expect him to go as fast as he did, but I didn't give my best possible display." Italian Ivan Basso, who rides for Cannondale team, crashed out of the stage and dropped out of the overall top 10. (Reporting by Terry Daley, editing by Ed Osmond)